Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Ryan was stabbed by a suspect while walking his beat on Gay Street near Baltimore Street. Officer Ryan observed the suspect with a butcher knife when without warning the suspect plunged the knife into the Officer's stomach and chest. Although mortally wounded the officer grappled with his assailant until he collapsed and fell to the sidewalk. He died a few minutes later at Mercy Hospital. The suspect, 37, was arrested at the scene but subsequently was declared not guilty by reason of insanity. Officer Ryan had served with the agency for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-77974636- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ryan gave the Baltimore City Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William L. Ryan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baltimore Police Department, 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William L. Ryan's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Ryan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Ryan is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Ryan was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
150 officers from Baltimore Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
